Worker's death delays work at yet another World Cup stadium in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro: There was more trouble for the organisers of the 2014 FIFA World Cup as construction at the Arena Pantanal stadium in Cuiaba was suspended after the death of a worker.

The Arena Pantanal Stadium in Cuiaba

An investigation was launched on Friday following the death of Muhammad Ali Maciel (32) due to electrocution on Thursday at the stadium while installing lights, reports Xinhua. “What happened in this sector can also happen in another because procedures might not have been followed. It’s a preventative measure,” local labour ministry chief Jose Almeida said in a statement. The incident has raised fresh doubts about whether Brazil’s stadiums will be ready in time for the FIFA World Cup which starts June 12.

Besides ongoing work on its electric and lighting systems, Arena Pantanal still awaits the fitting of thousands of seats. Work is also on at Sao Paulo’s Itaquerao Stadium, which will host the tournament opener on June 12.